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How will the 18 Bundesliga clubs fare in 2017-18?

Who will win the Bundesliga title, who will qualify for the Champions League, who will reach the Europa League and who will be relegated. Here are our predictions for how the 18 Bundesliga teams will fare in 2017-18.

Bayern Munich

The Bundesliga is a league in which 18 clubs play 34 games each and Bayern always win in the end. At least, this has been the case 27 times so far. After the most expensive addition in club history - 40 million euros for Corentin Tolisso - the German champions' goal is unchanged: Anything but the title would be a massive disappointment. DW prediction: Only Bayern can win the Bundesliga title.

RB Leipzig

The newcomers to the Bundesliga chased Bayern a long way last season and qualified for the Champions League. But now they are in three competitions: Can they stay true to their philosophy of developing young players? Can they handle the intensity of a European campaign? DW prediction: A top-five place - but not necessarily direct qualification for the Champions League again.

Hoffenheim

The Bundesliga's youngest coach led Hoffenheim to Champions League qualifying for the first time in the club's history. Understandably, the expectations going forward are high. Nagelsmann, recently voted "coach of the year," is a smart tactical operator whose teams are extremely well prepared. The same question marks that apply to Leipzig also apply to Hoffenheim. DW prediction: Top-five.

Borussia Dortmund

What a past season! Fan unrest, an attack on their bus, a sacked coach. Newly installed Peter Bosz is tasked with ensuring continuity - and perhaps in the long run, winning the title. Bosz's Ajax teams favored fast, attacking football and followed the ideals of Johan Cruyff. DW prediction: If Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Götze can stay fit, then BVB should finish among the top three.

1. FC Köln

For the first time in 25 years, Cologne are back in Europe. However, the saga around Anthony Modeste's exit has sapped the club's energy from last season. It's unclear how the team will cope without their 25-goal striker - both domestically and on the continent. At least they're in safe hands with head coach Peter Stöger. DW prediction: No higher than mid-table.

Hertha Berlin

Hertha mascot Herthinho seems excited about his team's European tour. This time last season the club was already out of the Europa League. But this season, there will be at least three away trips for the capital club. How does that effect Hertha's chances in the Bundesliga? DW prediction: Other teams are stronger, so qualifying for Europe again may be a stretch too far.

Freiburg

Their European dream came to an end before it had even started. Freiburg crashed out of qualifying for the Europa League, losing to Slovenian side Domzale. Now coach Christian Streich and his team can focus on qualifying for Europe again. DW prediction: It's not going to happen because no other teams are weaker than they were last term.

Werder Bremen

This summer, Werder signed their first-ever Chinese player: Yuning Zhang. But even he won't make up for a close season of departures. Goalie Felix Wiedwald, captain Clemens Fritz and Werder legend Claudio Pizarro have all moved on to pastures new. DW prediction: Bremen will drop a few places, but at least win some new fans in the Far East.

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Does the team need the blessing of the Pope? After a disappointing ninth-place finish last season, it can't do much harm. The club can't compete financially with Bayern, Dortmund or Leipzig, but can the Foals do it on the pitch? DW prediction: They won't reach the Champions League, the Europa League could be in the cards.

Eintracht Frankfurt

What do Eintracht Frankfurt have to do with a toaster? How about this: In the first half of last season, Eintracht shot up like a finished piece of toast out of a toaster – but in the second half, they looked more like having been burned. This season, the aspiration is to challenge for a spot in Europe. DW prediction: Not happening - they are going to have trouble from the get go.

Schalke

Expectations and reality can often seem like polar opposites at Schalke. The Royal Blues finished 10th in the league last season - their worst finish since the 90s. Markus Weinzierl carried the can and got the sack. Rookie coach Domenico Tedesco is his successor - Schalke's fifth coach in three seasons. Can he hold it together? DW prediction: Europa League.

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen decided to go in a different direction this summer. Roger Schmidt is in Beijing, Sven Bender has joined his brother Lars and Heiko Herrlich was the surprise pick for head coach. After survival was secured last term, a return to European football is now the target. DW prediction: A solid mid-table finish.

Augsburg

How symbolic is the above picture? Will Augsburg be in last place in May? With two strong newcomers arriving this season - Stuttgart and Hannover - it's hard to make the case for Augsburg's survival. Manuel Baum's team will need to give it their all in every match. DW prediction: Augsburg will find themselves in the battle against the drop.

Hamburg

Hamburg is the only club to never to have been relegated since 1963 when the Bundesliga was established. But the last four years have been tight - HSV have been in the playoff two times and survived. How about this year? Coach Markus Gisdol and sports director Jens Todt are two calm influences. DW prediction: Hamburg will be safe.

Wolfsburg

Mario Gomez found the back of the net for the Wolves 16 times last season, so without him there would have been a good chance that the Werksclub would have been relegated. This term, Wolfsburg are aiming for Europe. However, due to VW's diesel-emissions scandal, Wolfsburg's pockets aren't as deep as they once were. DW prediction: A mid-table finish.

Mainz

Mainz have both a new coach, Sandro Schwarz, and a new goalkeeper, Rene Adler. Last year, they were almost relegated, but things are meant to be different in 2017-18. They are hoping that Adler, a former Germany goalkeeper, will not only stop shots, but wiexperience. DW prediction: Mainz could again find themselves in the battle against the drop.

Stuttgart

The three-time German champions are back after a year in the second division. Stuttgart have bolstered a young squad with two experienced national team players in goalie Ron-Robert Zieler and center-back Holger Badstuber from Bayern Munich. DW prediction: No relegation worries and a mid-table finish.

Hannover

Hannover aren't just making the headlines for sporting reasons since promotion. The club itself will lose its majority control when Martin Kind completes his takeover. The 50+1 model will exist no longer. It has caused a rift and fans are waging war on the club and the German FA. DW prediction: Too much chaos and a relegation contender.

Bayern Munich

The Bundesliga is a league in which 18 clubs play 34 games each and Bayern always win in the end. At least, this has been the case 27 times so far. After the most expensive addition in club history - 40 million euros for Corentin Tolisso - the German champions' goal is unchanged: Anything but the title would be a massive disappointment. DW prediction: Only Bayern can win the Bundesliga title.

RB Leipzig

The newcomers to the Bundesliga chased Bayern a long way last season and qualified for the Champions League. But now they are in three competitions: Can they stay true to their philosophy of developing young players? Can they handle the intensity of a European campaign? DW prediction: A top-five place - but not necessarily direct qualification for the Champions League again.

Hoffenheim

The Bundesliga's youngest coach led Hoffenheim to Champions League qualifying for the first time in the club's history. Understandably, the expectations going forward are high. Nagelsmann, recently voted "coach of the year," is a smart tactical operator whose teams are extremely well prepared. The same question marks that apply to Leipzig also apply to Hoffenheim. DW prediction: Top-five.

Borussia Dortmund

What a past season! Fan unrest, an attack on their bus, a sacked coach. Newly installed Peter Bosz is tasked with ensuring continuity - and perhaps in the long run, winning the title. Bosz's Ajax teams favored fast, attacking football and followed the ideals of Johan Cruyff. DW prediction: If Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Götze can stay fit, then BVB should finish among the top three.

1. FC Köln

For the first time in 25 years, Cologne are back in Europe. However, the saga around Anthony Modeste's exit has sapped the club's energy from last season. It's unclear how the team will cope without their 25-goal striker - both domestically and on the continent. At least they're in safe hands with head coach Peter Stöger. DW prediction: No higher than mid-table.

Hertha Berlin

Hertha mascot Herthinho seems excited about his team's European tour. This time last season the club was already out of the Europa League. But this season, there will be at least three away trips for the capital club. How does that effect Hertha's chances in the Bundesliga? DW prediction: Other teams are stronger, so qualifying for Europe again may be a stretch too far.

Freiburg

Their European dream came to an end before it had even started. Freiburg crashed out of qualifying for the Europa League, losing to Slovenian side Domzale. Now coach Christian Streich and his team can focus on qualifying for Europe again. DW prediction: It's not going to happen because no other teams are weaker than they were last term.

Werder Bremen

This summer, Werder signed their first-ever Chinese player: Yuning Zhang. But even he won't make up for a close season of departures. Goalie Felix Wiedwald, captain Clemens Fritz and Werder legend Claudio Pizarro have all moved on to pastures new. DW prediction: Bremen will drop a few places, but at least win some new fans in the Far East.

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Does the team need the blessing of the Pope? After a disappointing ninth-place finish last season, it can't do much harm. The club can't compete financially with Bayern, Dortmund or Leipzig, but can the Foals do it on the pitch? DW prediction: They won't reach the Champions League, the Europa League could be in the cards.

Eintracht Frankfurt

What do Eintracht Frankfurt have to do with a toaster? How about this: In the first half of last season, Eintracht shot up like a finished piece of toast out of a toaster – but in the second half, they looked more like having been burned. This season, the aspiration is to challenge for a spot in Europe. DW prediction: Not happening - they are going to have trouble from the get go.

Schalke

Expectations and reality can often seem like polar opposites at Schalke. The Royal Blues finished 10th in the league last season - their worst finish since the 90s. Markus Weinzierl carried the can and got the sack. Rookie coach Domenico Tedesco is his successor - Schalke's fifth coach in three seasons. Can he hold it together? DW prediction: Europa League.

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen decided to go in a different direction this summer. Roger Schmidt is in Beijing, Sven Bender has joined his brother Lars and Heiko Herrlich was the surprise pick for head coach. After survival was secured last term, a return to European football is now the target. DW prediction: A solid mid-table finish.

Augsburg

How symbolic is the above picture? Will Augsburg be in last place in May? With two strong newcomers arriving this season - Stuttgart and Hannover - it's hard to make the case for Augsburg's survival. Manuel Baum's team will need to give it their all in every match. DW prediction: Augsburg will find themselves in the battle against the drop.

Hamburg

Hamburg is the only club to never to have been relegated since 1963 when the Bundesliga was established. But the last four years have been tight - HSV have been in the playoff two times and survived. How about this year? Coach Markus Gisdol and sports director Jens Todt are two calm influences. DW prediction: Hamburg will be safe.

Wolfsburg

Mario Gomez found the back of the net for the Wolves 16 times last season, so without him there would have been a good chance that the Werksclub would have been relegated. This term, Wolfsburg are aiming for Europe. However, due to VW's diesel-emissions scandal, Wolfsburg's pockets aren't as deep as they once were. DW prediction: A mid-table finish.

Mainz

Mainz have both a new coach, Sandro Schwarz, and a new goalkeeper, Rene Adler. Last year, they were almost relegated, but things are meant to be different in 2017-18. They are hoping that Adler, a former Germany goalkeeper, will not only stop shots, but wiexperience. DW prediction: Mainz could again find themselves in the battle against the drop.

Stuttgart

The three-time German champions are back after a year in the second division. Stuttgart have bolstered a young squad with two experienced national team players in goalie Ron-Robert Zieler and center-back Holger Badstuber from Bayern Munich. DW prediction: No relegation worries and a mid-table finish.

Hannover

Hannover aren't just making the headlines for sporting reasons since promotion. The club itself will lose its majority control when Martin Kind completes his takeover. The 50+1 model will exist no longer. It has caused a rift and fans are waging war on the club and the German FA. DW prediction: Too much chaos and a relegation contender.